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Saturday, May 14, 2011

Malasada Bread Pudding - and my 100th Post Giveaway!

Malasadas just seem to call my name. I know that they are not good for me but I am helpless to resist. Here in Hawaii these little bundles of yeasty goodness are rolled in plain sugar, cinnamon sugar, or li hing sugar. They are also available filled with coconut (haupia) custard, chocolate custard, vanilla custard, or the flavor of the month - which at the moment is banana custard. I like mine plain and rolled in regular (white) sugar and my favorites come from Leonard's Bakery on Kapahulu Avenue, just a short drive from Waikiki. In Hawaii Shrove Tuesday is known as Malasada Tuesday and sales more than triple on this day. They are also a staple at school fairs, and some schools are quite famous for their individual recipes.

Malasadas are also know as Portuguese donuts. They are made from a yeast dough, have no hole in the middle, and are deep-fried in oil. Tradionally they are rolled in granulated sugar, but variety is the spice of life and there are many different routes you can go with these. They are at their most delicious whilst fresh and still hot. On the rare occasion when you have leftovers, do what I do and make Malasada Bread Pudding. I based my recipe on one that I found here, but I do not put in any raisins, dried cranberries, or chocolate and I make my custard with a combination of cream and milk. I really would love to try making Malasadas myself. I have a few different recipes that I can try, so when I find one I like I will post about it. Until then I will keep lining up at Leonard's for my treats. If you do not have somewhere nearby that sells malasada's then you can definitely make this recipe using regular sugar donuts.

And a Giveaway!
As this is my 100th post I wanted it to be something special. On my recent visit to Australia I purchased a few items that I thought would make a fun giveaway and also give the winner a little taste of Australia. The items I am including are:

I really appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my blog, leaves me comments, and sends me emails but since this giveaway is sponsored just by me I have to limit it to the United States only. I promise I will try to do an international giveaway soon with similar items. To enter the giveaway simply leave me a comment. Of course I would love if you started following my blog or liked me on Facebook, but this is more about me saying thank you, so leave me a comment and you are in the draw. I will close the entries at 9:00pm on Friday, May 20. I am using the number generator at Random.org to choose a winner, and I will have the box in the mail the next morning.

We have a winner!
The winner of the box of goodies from Australia - as well as a couple of bonus items from Hawaii - was The Kitchenarian. Congratulations! Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by my blog. As previously mentioned I will try and do another giveaway in a few months with either Hawaiian or Aussie goodies and this one will be worldwide.

The Shrove Tuesday tradition in Hawaii is the same in all Polish households around the world...except it's called Pacjcki Day and the the rolls are filled with jelly; the rolls are similar to Bismarcks. So, no matter where you are, you can make this bread pudding! I'll bet it would also be good made with Hawaiian Bread or Hawaiian Rolls which are available in most grocery stores stateside.

Felice, we found malasadas on our 2007 trip to the Islands, and I must say, it's a good thing there's no malasada shop here in central Texas! However, we have kolaches that cause the same trouble, er, call to my inner sugar gremlin. Hard to resist!

I may try to make this pudding with King's Hawaiian rolls that are available here. Could be so yummy! I'll let you know how it turns out...

Congratulations on your 100th post! I love reading your blog to get the flavors of the islands,and Australia! Great bread pudding. I'll have to go back to the Islands, to make this wonderful bread pudding;)

Thank you so much to everyone for their warm wishes on my 100th post. No more comments will be eligible after this, and I will announce the winner of the giveaway first thing in the morning and have the box of goodies in the mail.

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to leave a comment, even those who are outside the US. I will try to do another giveaway soon, and open it up to everyone.